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Neuqua edges Lyons for Naperville Invite title
Apr 30, 2011. | Jon Cunningham~For Sun-Times Media
Updated: April 30, 2011 8:22PM
Forgive Neuqua Valley’s nonchalance after yet another victory. It’s all the No. 1 Wildcats have done this season.
Hope D’Addario scored on a 30-yard screamer and UCLA-bound Megan Oyster led a lockdown defensive effort as Neuqua Valley beat No. 5 Lyons 1-0 in the championship game of the Naperville Invitational on Saturday at Naperville Central.
The victory set off a subdued celebration from the Wildcats (17-0), who grinded out their third victory in as many days to win the tournament.
“We’re just really tired after the past three days,” Oyster said. “We’re actually really excited, even though we didn’t show it. We’re trying to be a little humble. We’re very proud of [winning the tournament] though.”
D’Addario’s blast just eluded the fingertips of Lions goalie Maggie Orlowski (two saves) before striking the crossbar and deflecting off Orlowski and into the goal with 9:42 left in the first half.
“I’m comfortable with my left foot so I just went for it,” D’Addario said. “I didn’t want to risk losing [the ball] by going to my right.”
Oyster saved a goal six minutes into the second half after Lyons’ Emily Lange seized upon a miscommunication between the Wildcats’ senior defender and freshman goalie Courtney Keefer.
Lange sidestepped Keefer and had a clear path in on goal after some hesitation between the keeper and Oyster. But before Lange was able to capitalize on the miscue, Oyster swept in and took the ball off her foot before calmly clearing the danger.
It was the only serious scoring chance Oyster and fellow defenders Lisa Nuccio and Sydney Tappin gave up. The Wildcats’ back three did not allow a shot of any kind in the first half and Keefer did not have to make a save in the game.
“Even with three defenders in the back, I think our defense is one of the strongest,” D’Addario said. “Overall, they just make sure nothing gets past them. That’s their job and they do it really well.”
Lyons (17-3-1), which beat defending Class 3A champion Waubonsie Valley for the second time this season in the tournament semifinals, played in the final of a major regular-season tournament for the second time in two weeks.
“It was tough to lose in the finals again, but [D’Addario] made a great shot and at least they didn’t really break down our defense,” Lions defender Elise Gordon said. “It was really great to beat Waubonsie Valley for a second time to not only get to the final, but also show them that we are a really good team and make them respect us a little bit more.”
The Lions lost 1-0 to No. 2 Loyola at Toyota Park in the final of the Pepsi Showdown on April 17.
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